Scioto Downs will play host to five $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes dashes for two-year-old pacing colts on Wednesday (July 4) during its matinee program which will get underway with a 2 p.m. (ET) post time.

A total of 49 freshmen Ohio-breds passed the Scioto entry box for the first round of the four-leg series, including 17 homebreds.

The first sires stakes division (Race 1) will see Valparaiso Hanover start from post three for trainer Tyler Bates and owners Suzanne Bate and Robyn McGhee. The Dragon Again colt is the fourth foal out of the Badlands Hanover mare Vasmajorty Hanover, which makes him a half-brother to Viceroy Hanover p, 3, 1:52.3f ($103,290). Valparaiso Hanover finished second in his pari-mutuel debut on June 27, in a $10,000 Scioto maiden, in which he paced his mile in 1:54.3 with Kayne Kauffman at the lines. Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Valparaiso Hanover was a $10,000 yearling purchase at the Ohio Select Sale.

High On Paydaze will start from post two in the second sires stakes division (Race 3) with Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. driving for trainer Brian Brown. Owned by Scott Hagemeyer, R. Mondillo and D.E. Robinson, High On Paydaze took part in a pair of qualifiers at Delaware, on June 14 (second in 1:59) and on June 20 (where he won in wire-to-wire fashion in 1:58.4). The homebred son of Nob Hill High is the fourth foal out of the The Panderosa mare Myell p,4, 1:56.1h ($34,688) and is a half-brother to Myells Rockstar (by World of Rocknroll) p,4, 1:52.1f ($129,326) and to Pacin To Paydaze p,2, 1:54.4h ($41,617).

Melanie Wrenn will harness up Odds On Columbus, a brown Yankee Cruiser colt owned by Odds On Racing, from post eight with Peter Wrenn driving in the third sires stakes division (Race 5). The youngster qualified twice at Hoosier Park — on June 13 and 27 – and paced to winning times of 1:55.2 and 1:57. Bred by Birnam Woods and Olive Branch Farm, Odds On Columbus was a $70,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Select Sale. He is the third foal out of Princess Character p, 7, 1:51.4f ($177,959), and is a half-brother to Queen Josephine (by Roll With Joe) p, 3, 1:54.4 ($169,015) and Rocknrollroyalty (by Rocknroll Heaven) p, 4, 1:52.2s ($72,978).

Rock Candy heads up the fourth sires stakes division (Race 7) for trainer Brian Brown and owners Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco and Richard Lombardo from post eight. The Pet Rock colt won both of his Delaware qualifiers — on June 14 and 20 – and paced in 1:57 and 1:57.3, respectively, for Ronnie Wrenn, Jr., who’ll be back in the sulky once again. Bred by Mark Mjoger and Albert Delia, Jr., Rock Candy was purchased for $60,000 at the Ohio Select Sale and is the second foal out of the Sportsmaster mare Cotton Candy p, 3, 1:52.3 ($188,312), with half-siblings in Mr Ds Dragon (by Dragon Again) p, 4, 1;50.1f ($206,198) and Anna D (by Ponder) p, 4, 1:54.1f ($37,300).

In the final sires stakes division (Race 10), Authentic Hanover looks like the horse to beat. The son of Western Vintage is conditioned and co-owned by Dustin Arledge for partners Hutchison Hms, M. J. Thompson. This youngster qualified twice at Scioto Downs – where he finished second in 1:58.1 and 1:57.4 on June 11 and 18 — then romped to a 1:54, three-length, wire-to-wire triumph in his pari-mutuel debut, which was in a $10,000 Scioto maiden event on June 17. In each of his starts, Authentic Hanover posted consistent 27-second final panels.

The $18,000 yearling purchase was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and is the tenth foal out of the Artsplace mare, world champion Armbro Amoretto p, 3, 1:50.1m ($1,285,744). Thus, Authentic Hanover is a half-brother to Bet You (by Bettors Delight) p, 4, 1:50.3f ($391,452); Adams Hanover (by Western Hanover) p, 4, 1:50.4f ($202,374); Air Guitar Hanover (by Rocknroll Hanover) p, 6, 1:52.2f ($182,470); and Aldine Hanover (by A Rocknroll Dance) p, 2, 1:52.1s ($121,806).

Ohio Sires Stakes action will continue Friday night (July 6) at Scioto Downs with Leg-1 races for two-year-old pacing fillies; and on Saturday night (July 7) at Northfield Park with Leg-3 action for sophomore colt pacers.

(With files from the OSDF)